B L Saraf
With the likely hood of an elected Government coming to the helm in the state, identical to the formulation which existed till the sad demise of Mufti Mohammed Sayead, one can hope that there is a serious engagement of GO I with all sections of the JKian society, in general, and that of Kashmir in particular. BJP, as it appears, is showing great earnestness in formation of the Government, so is the PDP. Activism shown in this regard is well come, because we must have a political Government, sooner the better. Signs on the security front do not portend well . People, particularly in the Valley, are getting restive.
PDP, we are told, is keen to have assurance that there will be speedy implementation of the Agenda of Alliance, worked out between Mufti Saheb and the central BJP leadership. That is understandable. And of late, the Central Government has been showing urgency in meeting out some important points raised in the Agenda of Alliance-be it disbursing relief to the flood victims or initiating process to establish AIIMS in the state .More is in the pipe line, we are informed. That is fine, but in our state there are certain issues which go beyond money and economics, and in the political lexicon they are called “ issues of alienation.” Well no body can plead for state’s alienation from India, but certain psychological and emotional issues between the two need to be sorted out.
Intensity shown in Government formation must be replicated in addressing some aspirational issues of the people. There are other people who need to be talked to. Some, who are in relentless search for their missing near and dear ones and those who roam in wilderness displaced from their familiar environs-without address and the identity.
A considerate engagement with all the stake holders is called for. Apart from being a player in Government formation, association with PDP may help the Central Government in this regard, as it may open up a channel for such a dialogue. But some additional tributaries need to be built, lest the only channel gets choked and becomes ineffective. Out of them one should lead to the “ alienated population “and some to the Hurriyat (hard and soft included).
Past experience has shown us that in J&K Government formation cannot be taken as “be all and end all”. Government, of any hue, will deliver, here, if it is taken as a significant step to smoothen the ruffed edges which do not allow central and state relations to fit in a symmetrical cog of convergence.
Not discounting the mischief potential of the underlying fault lines and Pakistan’s capacity to make things go round, time appears to be opportune. India and Pakistan are talking to each other. There is a sign of thaw in the frozen relations, after the very unfortunate Pathankot episode. Seemingly , Pakistan is rendering help to nab the culprits, who have admittedly come from that side of the border. Some pieces of vital intelligence are being exchanged . India has shown restraint in not allowing tempers to run high. Internally too , Pakistan looks on the way to mend. Otherwise who could have thought that the assassins of Sulman Taseer, ex- Governor of Pak-Punjab, would be thrown to the gallows, especially, after he had received a rosy well come in the Lahore court, where he was produced soon after committing murder of the Governor.
For the Central Government to have talks with the “alienated people” in the state and make an attempt to bring them onboard, when small talk is going on with Pakistan, will be of an added advantage. It will blunt some of the sharper arguments that Pakistan may feel obliged to rake up while parroting Kashmir as its “core issue.”
There is no denying that in December 2014 large number of Kashmiris participated in Government making decision.
The separatists may say, as some mainstream parties do say ,that this participation was for addressing matters of Roti, Kapda and Makkan, and not for resolving the “ core “ issue.
One must remember that Government formation is for the governance. Governance is for addressing issues, both mundane and those bordering on the aspirations. Provided, the aspirations have territorial limits.
This is time for the separatists to pause a bit and see an opportunity in the emerging situation. For their own credibility and to remove the distress of the people, there is an urgent need for them to weigh the situation carefully and act constructively.
They must condemn the armed violence which, of late, we see on the rise in south Kashmir. The stubbornness has limited value. Beyond a point it becomes counterproductive.
Soon, people will start asking questions about their “assumed “representative character.
(The author is Former Principal District & Session Judge).
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